Car statistics
How many Vauxhall Merivas are still on the road in Great Britain, how many are declared off the road, how new registrations have changed and which fuels they use. Built from DVLA licensing records and 81,099 DVSA MOT tests.
There were 70,590 Vauxhall Merivas licensed in Great Britain at the end of March 2026, and a further 8,774 declared off the road (SORN). That is 54.8% fewer than the peak of 156,268 in 2016.
Numbers peaked in 2016 and have fallen every year since, as older cars are scrapped faster than new ones are registered.
| Year | Licensed |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 7,428 |
| 2004 | 29,710 |
| 2005 | 48,925 |
| 2006 | 63,800 |
| 2007 | 78,501 |
| 2008 | 91,315 |
| 2009 | 101,046 |
| 2010 | 114,074 |
| 2011 | 132,822 |
| 2012 | 141,947 |
| 2013 | 149,477 |
| 2014 | 153,148 |
| 2015 | 156,148 |
| 2016 | 156,268 |
| 2017 | 152,180 |
| 2018 | 142,291 |
| 2019 | 131,350 |
| 2020 | 121,075 |
| 2021 | 110,879 |
| 2022 | 102,065 |
| 2023 | 92,806 |
| 2024 | 82,844 |
| 2025 | 73,209 |
| 2026 | 70,590 |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
Source:DfT / DVLA End of March 2026 Updated
The Vauxhall Meriva VXR has its own page. The figures above include every version; each version page covers only the cars DVLA records under that version’s name.
| Version | Licensed | SORN |
|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Meriva VXR | 69 | 76 |
In 2025, 61.5% of Vauxhall Meriva MOT tests were passed first time, against 72.8% for all cars. Cars of the same ages as the Vauxhall Merivas tested pass 65.6% of the time, so the Vauxhall Meriva does worse than average for its age, by 4.1 points. In 2024 its pass rate was 63.0%.
Comparing like with like: each bar pair covers cars of the same age, so an older average age does not count against a model.
| Vehicle age | Vauxhall Meriva | All cars |
|---|---|---|
| 8–10 years | 70.7% | 75.7% |
| 11–14 years | 64.3% | 65.5% |
| 15–19 years | 51.7% | 58.0% |
| 20+ years | 46.9% | 61.0% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Suspension is the most common reason a Vauxhall Meriva fails its MOT, appearing on 46.2% of failed tests. A failed test can have defects in more than one category, so shares add up to more than 100%. 9.5% of Vauxhall Meriva tests found at least one dangerous defect, against 7.3% for all cars.
| Defect category | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 46.2% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 34.5% |
| Brakes | 22.3% |
| Tyres | 19.6% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 14.7% |
| Visibility | 14.4% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 12.7% |
| Steering | 8.2% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
The single most common reason a Vauxhall Meriva failed its MOT in 2025 was “Coil spring: fractured or broken”, on 26.3% of 31,234 failed tests. 65.0% of tests ended with at least one advisory, a problem to watch that did not fail the test; the most common was “Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge”. The same fault on any wheel or side counts once.
Share of failed tests with each defect. A test can fail for more than one.
| Defect | Share of failed tests |
|---|---|
| Coil spring: fractured or broken Suspension | 26.3% |
| Malfunction indicator lamp: inoperative or indicates a malfunction Noise, emissions and leaks | 8.3% |
| Position lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 7.2% |
| Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.9% |
| Brake pads: less than 1.5 mm thick Brakes | 6.4% |
| Stop lamp: not working Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.3% |
| Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid Visibility | 5.9% |
| Tyres: tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm Tyres | 5.8% |
| Drive shafts: constant velocity boot split or insecure, no longer prevents the ingress of dirt Body, chassis, structure | 5.5% |
| Tyres: ply or cords exposed Tyres | 5.4% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Share of all tests with each advisory: worth checking on a car you are buying.
| Advisory | Share of tests |
|---|---|
| Tread depth: worn close to legal limit or worn on edge Tyres | 19.9% |
| Engine oil leak, but not excessive Noise, emissions and leaks | 16.0% |
| Tyres: slightly damaged or cracking or perishing Tyres | 14.0% |
| Brake discs: worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened Brakes | 11.6% |
| Rigid brake pipes: corroded, covered in grease or other material Brakes | 9.8% |
| Brake pads: wearing thin Brakes | 8.2% |
| Exhaust system: minor leak of exhaust gases Body, chassis, structure | 8.1% |
| Coil spring: corroded Suspension | 7.9% |
| Shock absorbers: light misting of oil Suspension | 5.7% |
| Suspension arms: pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement Suspension | 4.6% |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
14 years of the Vauxhall Meriva, by year of first registration, have their own page with MOT results, common faults, mileage and how many are left. Against all cars of the same age, the 2012 cars did best at their 2025 MOT (64.9% passed first time) and the 2005 cars worst (46.1%).
| Year | Registered | Left | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | – | 2,433 | 46.6% |
| 2005 | – | 2,466 | 46.1% |
| 2006 | – | 3,417 | 47.4% |
| 2007 | – | 3,975 | 49.6% |
| 2008 | – | 4,242 | 47.6% |
| 2009 | – | 4,327 | 50.2% |
| 2010 | – | 7,987 | 56.7% |
| 2011 | – | 12,689 | 62.7% |
| 2012 | – | 7,883 | 64.9% |
| 2013 | – | 7,264 | 62.9% |
| 2014 | 7,967 | 7,371 | 67.3% |
| 2015 | 8,502 | 8,014 | 69.1% |
| 2016 | 6,570 | 6,349 | 71.3% |
| 2017 | 4,384 | 4,383 | 73.5% |
Registered: cars on the DVLA record at the end of the year they were first registered (these counts start in 2014, so older years show a dash). Left: licensed or declared SORN at the end of 2025. Both cover the United Kingdom. Pass rate: first-time passes at normal MOT tests in Great Britain in 2025; all cars: every car first registered the same year.
The average Vauxhall Meriva covers 5,423 miles a year, worked out from odometer readings at consecutive MOT tests.
| Vehicle age | Miles a year |
|---|---|
| 6–7 years | 7,126 |
| 8–10 years | 5,915 |
| 11–14 years | 5,698 |
| 15–19 years | 4,812 |
| 20+ years | 3,749 |
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis 2025 Updated
Registrations of Vauxhall Merivas for the first time in Great Britain peaked at 24,294 in 2004. In 2025, 0 were registered. With almost none registered new, the number on the road is likely to keep falling.
| Year | First registrations |
|---|---|
| ’01 | 0 |
| ’02 | 0 |
| ’03 | 8,124 |
| ’04 | 24,294 |
| ’05 | 19,200 |
| ’06 | 17,138 |
| ’07 | 14,489 |
| ’08 | 13,026 |
| ’09 | 9,773 |
| ’10 | 15,355 |
| ’11 | 19,770 |
| ’12 | 10,630 |
| ’13 | 8,517 |
| ’14 | 7,924 |
| ’15 | 8,497 |
| ’16 | 6,680 |
| ’17 | 4,485 |
| ’18 | 33 |
| ’19 | 2 |
| ’20 | 0 |
| ’21 | 0 |
| ’22 | 0 |
| ’23 | 0 |
| ’24 | 1 |
| ’25 | 0 |
Source:DfT / DVLA 2001 to 2025 Updated
Of the 75,050 Vauxhall Merivas licensed in the UK at the end of 2025, 71.1% have an engine of 1,301cc to 1,400cc, and 13.5% have an engine of 1,601cc to 1,700cc. The share with an engine of 1,301cc to 1,400cc has grown from 48.2% in 2014 to 71.1%.
DVLA records engine size in 100cc bands.
| Engine size | Share of those licensed |
|---|---|
| 1,301cc to 1,400cc 53,392 licensed | 71.1% |
| 1,601cc to 1,700cc 10,121 licensed | 13.5% |
| 1,501cc to 1,600cc 9,593 licensed | 12.8% |
| 1,201cc to 1,300cc 1,550 licensed | 2.1% |
| 1,701cc to 1,800cc 387 licensed | 0.5% |
| Other sizes 7 licensed | 0.0% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
| Engine size | Fuel | Licensed | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,301–1,400cc | Petrol | 53,379 | 71.1% |
| 1,601–1,700cc | Diesel | 10,121 | 13.5% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Petrol | 8,109 | 10.8% |
| 1,201–1,300cc | Diesel | 1,550 | 2.1% |
| 1,501–1,600cc | Diesel | 1,483 | 2.0% |
Share of those licensed at the end of each year, for the most common sizes.
| Year | 1,301–1,400cc | 1,601–1,700cc | 1,501–1,600cc | 1,201–1,300cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 48.2% | 14.5% | 31.2% | 3.6% |
| 2015 | 51.2% | 13.9% | 29.3% | 3.4% |
| 2016 | 53.9% | 13.4% | 27.4% | 3.3% |
| 2017 | 56.7% | 13.1% | 25.2% | 3.2% |
| 2018 | 58.9% | 13.0% | 23.5% | 3.1% |
| 2019 | 60.9% | 12.9% | 21.8% | 3.1% |
| 2020 | 62.8% | 12.9% | 20.2% | 3.0% |
| 2021 | 64.9% | 13.1% | 18.2% | 2.8% |
| 2022 | 66.4% | 13.2% | 16.8% | 2.7% |
| 2023 | 68.0% | 13.2% | 15.6% | 2.5% |
| 2024 | 69.6% | 13.4% | 14.1% | 2.2% |
| 2025 | 71.1% | 13.5% | 12.8% | 2.1% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
Share of those licensed at the end of each year.
| Year | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 81.2% | 18.8% |
| 2015 | 81.7% | 18.2% |
| 2016 | 82.1% | 17.8% |
| 2017 | 82.6% | 17.4% |
| 2018 | 82.7% | 17.3% |
| 2019 | 82.7% | 17.2% |
| 2020 | 82.7% | 17.3% |
| 2021 | 82.6% | 17.4% |
| 2022 | 82.5% | 17.5% |
| 2023 | 82.6% | 17.4% |
| 2024 | 82.5% | 17.5% |
| 2025 | 82.4% | 17.5% |
Source:DfT / DVLA End of 2014 to end of 2025 Updated
United Kingdom figures from DfT table VEH0220 (licensed cars at the end of each year, SORN excluded), so they differ slightly from the Great Britain counts elsewhere on this page. How we use engine sizes.
The Vehicle Certification Agency’s new car data lists the Vauxhall Meriva from 2004 to 2017. On the NEDC test (listings 2004 to 2017), official combined fuel economy for its petrol and diesel versions ranges from 34.4 to 72.4 mpg, with CO2 of 104 to 196 g/km.
| Engine and fuel | Combined mpg | CO2 g/km | Listed | Euro standard | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4 petrol | 39.8–47.9 | 139–166 | 2005–2017 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 36 |
| 1.6 petrol | 36.2–47.1 | 140–187 | 2004–2017 | Euro 4 to Euro 6 | 55 |
| 1.8 petrol | 34.4–38.7 | 174–196 | 2004–2011 | Euro 4 | 28 |
| 1.2 diesel | 56.5–62.8 | 119–135 | 2006–2013 | Euro 4 to Euro 5 | 16 |
| 1.6 diesel | 64.2–72.4 | 104–116 | 2014–2017 | Euro 5 to Euro 6 | 6 |
| 1.7 diesel | 44.1–54.3 | 138–168 | 2005–2015 | Euro 3 to Euro 5 | 29 |
| 2.0 diesel | 46.3 | 160 | 2013–2014 | Euro 5 | 2 |
Source:VCA July 2000 to 15 September 2026 Updated
DVSA lists 10 safety recalls for the Vauxhall Meriva since 1992, the first in 2007. The most recent was launched on 1 December 2025.
All 10 Vauxhall Meriva recalls, with defects, remedies and build dates
A recall applies to cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, not to every Vauxhall Meriva. The details come from manufacturers through DVSA, which says they may be delayed or incomplete. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check or ask the manufacturer or a dealer. How we match recalls to models.
Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated
| Model | Licensed | Change on a year | SORN | Rank | Main fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vauxhall Meriva | 70,590 | −12.4% | 8,774 | 118 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Corsa | 902,410 | −3.2% | 97,804 | 2 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Astra | 527,414 | −9.7% | 94,476 | 8 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Mokka | 304,093 | +4.1% | 3,804 | 22 | Petrol |
| Vauxhall Insignia | 157,793 | −11.4% | 16,368 | 51 | Diesel |
| Figures | Source | Period | Records | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed and SORN counts | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | End of March 2026 | 79,364 Meriva records (licensed and SORN) | 15 September 2026 |
| Registered for the first time | Vehicle licensing statistics Department for Transport | 2001 to 2025 | – | 15 September 2026 |
| MOT results and mileage | Anonymised MOT tests and results Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Derived statistics UK Motoring | 2025 | 81,099 MOT tests | 15 September 2026 |
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
